Talks begin on So. Waterfront plan

Communications Director

Talks begin on So. Waterfront plan

Posted: 09/01/2005

Mayor Bill Haslam announced today he's accepted an evaluation committee's recommendation that the City of Knoxville begin contract negotiations with a team lead by Hargreaves Associates for the creation of a South Waterfront Vision and Action Plan.

"I thank the three outstanding finalists for their commitment of time and resources to create first-class presentations," Mayor Haslam said. "Each of them have the qualifications and experience necessary to plan, design and implement a project such as this. The Knoxville South Waterfront project is a wonderful development opportunity for our city and it will be exciting for all of us to watch this project unfold."

The committee selected the team led by Hargreaves Associates, of Cambridge, Mass., as the most qualified for providing the best combination of services with firms experienced in working together. The South Waterfront project will require a combination of planning, urban design, and technical services.

Work will now begin on finalizing a contract that details the scope and cost of services. A City Council workshop on a contract is scheduled for Sept. 22.

The South Waterfront evaluation committee ranked as no. 2 a team led by EDAW Inc., of Atlanta and as no. 3 a team by Bullock, Smith & Partners, of Knoxville. The finalists were tapped from eight proposals submitted to the City to create the South Waterfront master plan. "The evaluation committee conducted a very thorough and fair assessment of the teams," Mayor Haslam said. "I appreciate the time and effort that each of the members devoted to the process." Evaluation committee members included Sam Anderson, Caryn Conklin-Hawthorne, Dave Hill, Joe Hultquist, Bill Lyons, Chris Kinney, and Madeline Rogero.

Mayor Haslam last month named a South Waterfront Oversight Committee, comprised of representatives of South Knoxville neighborhoods, businesses, and public agencies expected to participate in a regulatory or technical capacity. The advisory committee will serve as a sounding board for the consultants as the project unfolds, identifying issues in need of attention, providing review comments, technical assistance and information.

The South Waterfront consists of about two miles of riverfront between James White Parkway and the Norfolk Southern Railroad, across from downtown and the University of Tennessee campus.